Top Fatah fugitive says deal offers chance for peace

Zakaria Zubeidi brushes off Hamas accusations that amnesty deal between Israel, Abbas is humiliating, says deal presents a chance for Israel to prove its peaceful intentions

Ali Waked|Published: 07.15.07 , 13:44

Zakaria Zubeidi, the head of Fatah's military wing in Jenin, believes the deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority that grants amnesty to dozens of wanted terror suspects offers the Jewish State what may be "the last chance to turn a new page with the Palestinians."

Zubeidi, who is accused by Israel of masterminding a string of terror attacks as the head of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in the West Bank city, is one of 180 Fatah gunmen whom Israel agreed to let up on to boost President Mahmoud Abbas.

Speaking to Ynet, the man who escaped a handful of assassination attempts by the IDF, says despite the amnesty deal he will remain vigilant because "it is hard to trust the Israelis."

Zubeidi in Jenin on Sunday morning (Photo: AFP)

"They all say we will have a trial period of three months in this deal and I say it is the Israelis who are in a trial period. They have to prove that their approach will be different this time. We need to remember that we are talking about an amnesty for wanted suspects and not about transferring the control of security to the Palestinian Authority. So long as this is the case I won't change," said the Fatah fugitive.

Hamas says the deal Fatah signed is humiliating. Do you agree?

First of all Hamas is an illegal faction and I don't take issue with illegal factions whose scribble doesn't impress me. Second, our agreement is with President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority and not with Israel. We signed with our leadership and not with Israel and I don't see where Israel is humiliating us here

Israel wants to know whether you will lay down your arms. Will you?

It is true. Some wanted friends are members of the security forces and they have started to hand over their arms and many others will follow suit. But that's only a symbolic move. What is important is the commitment, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades proved in the past that when they commit they keep their promises. It is true that some will not lay down their arms but that should not serve as an excuse to blow up the deal. What is important is the level of commitment to the agreement, that both sides stop harming one another and it is not relevant where the weapons are.

Under the agreement you are forbidden from making statements and issuing threats in al-Aqsa's name. Will you shun events held by al-Aqsa activists?

I will take part in events but unarmed. You need to understand that the collection of arms is not only being done because of the deal but because people on the street are fed up with these weapons that have become a nuisance. If at the beginning of the intifada weapons were limited to resistance movements, today they can be found with criminals, at weddings and on every street corner. And that's how we should look at the disarmament and not just as an Israeli imposition or a submission by the PA to Israel

Yesterday it was rumored that you were not on the amnesty list, but today it was announced that you were. What is your message to the Israelis?

I am not interested in what the Israelis say and do. I am not interested in whether I am on their list. I am interested in my agreement with the Palestinian Authority. According to what I have been told I am on the list. I tell the Israelis: You have a unique opportunity to turn a new page with the Palestinian Authority. In the past your government missed opportunities and this time they need to cash in on this opportunity if they are interested in serious negotiations. Because if the Israelis think they can sign an agreement and then stir escalation to weaken us, that won't happen. Whenever the Israelis breached a ceasefire the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades were able to prove their strength. I hope the Israelis will act wisely for the good of both sides.